"More than two years onwards, the victim still bears two large keloids on her hands and wrists," said the prosecution. "The emotional trauma suffered by the victim is also significant. The victim, who is still single, has real concerns that her physical deformities will be an insurmountable barrier to her desire to get married."

Anita's defence lawyer R.S. Bajwa urged the court to take into account her psychiatric disorder as one of sufficient severity to significantly diminish her culpability.

Anita suffers from Major Depressive Disorder with mood-congruent psychotic features, he said, and there is a causal link between her mental illness and the commission of the offences.

She heard voices instructing her, and while she was remanded, nurses observed her responding to the voices in her head, Mr Bajwa said.

"The voices had a major role," he said, adding that she suffered from hallucinations.

Anita also pleaded guilty, cooperated with the police and paid compensation of S$4,000 to Ms Siti, he added.

ACCUSED ASKED TO STAND, SAYS SHE'S SHAKING

District Judge Terence Tay noted that the nature and effects of mental disorders vary between individuals.

He asked why Anita was not standing, to which she said she was shaking. She had been rushed to hospital in October when she was to be sentenced as she felt ill.

She then stood and listened to the judge as he told her that she had known what she did was wrong.

While noting that the charges against Anita were serious and took place over a protracted period of time, the judge said his sympathy was with Anita.

Even so, he said it was fortunate that someone had surfaced the case to MOM, as Ms Siti had suffered physical and psychological harm that left her with scars.

On top of the jail term of 31 months, the judge ordered Anita to pay compensation of S$8,000 to Ms Siti, on top of the S$4,000 she already paid, by Jan 31.

Anita's defence lawyers said she intends to appeal against her sentence.